Figueres - Figueres

Figueres is a city of Catalonia, located in the province of Girona.

To know

Figueres is the capital of the Alt Empordà comarche, and has a rich history spanning many centuries preserved and on display in several museums in the area, as well as in the small historic center. The main attraction of the city is the museum dedicated to Salvador Dalí. After the Prado of Madrid, is the most visited museum in all of Spain. Many tourists choose to visit it in the day coming from Barcelona or from Costa Brava.

But beyond the museum, Figueres can be a pleasant place to spend a night or two. The city, very similar to Girona, is a relaxing alternative to Barcelona with narrow streets and a compact old town. The Empordà region, in general, will appeal to those interested in the history and / or thriving viticulture and gastronomy of Northern Catalonia. A great base for day trips, Figueres is a 15-minute drive or 25-minute train ride from the beaches of the Costa Brava.

The name means "fig trees" which grow abundantly in the area. The young people of the area call it by the abbreviation Figui.

Geographical notes

Being the last major city before the border Spanish/French, is a perfect base for exploring the Upper Empordà region famous for its fine cuisine, wines, and beaches that represent Catalan culture.

Background

Figueres descends from two Roman cities, Juncària is Figàries, but the city today began to have its present appearance in the 10th century as reported in the records of the monastery of Sant Pere which was located where the church of Sant Pere stands today. Since it was not a border outpost of the Hispanica brand (like the neighbors Besalú or Peralada), was of little importance until it became a royal city in 1267 and then when the castle of Sant Ferran was built from 1753 to 1766.

Once the castle was built the fate of Figueres changed as it became the supply base for the castle. The population grew and began its course towards being the main city in the region, despite the occupation by Napoleon's forces (1808-1814). Between 1831 and 1840, La Rambla was created by covering a dry river, and thus becoming a center for the city. The trees on La Rambla were originally planted in 1864. In 1877 came the train station. In 1904, the most famous resident of the city was born, Salvador Dalí.

There Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was very tough in the city. The castle became the last outpost for republican Spain and Franco's forces bombed the city with great ferocity. As was the case with much of the surrounding area, many structures were lost during the war, including the main theater which had been in ruins for a long time.

Upon achieving critical and financial success around the world, Dalí bought the old theater in his hometown and converted it into the museum we see today, a major tourist attraction in the city.

Spoken languages

Since Figueres is in Catalonia and Catalonia is an autonomous part of Spain, everyone in the city speaks Spanish, albeit to varying degrees. Although Catalan had been banned by the Franco regime and Spanish was the only language, the older generation over 60, when speaking Spanish, often speaks a form of Spatalan, which is mostly Spanish but with a lot of Catalan terms.

In Northern Catalan, it can be difficult for foreigners to understand. In fact, Catalan is a separate language from Spanish like French and Italian. It is not considered a Spanish dialect.

Northern Catalan, which is spoken here, is heavily influenced by French through exchange with French and Catalan native speakers across the border. Dishes like pa amb tomaquet (bread with tomato) become pa amb tomate with a soft "uh" sound at the end. There are many other examples and one of the most difficult is when they say words that end in "o" and say them with a long "u" sound. If you make the effort to pronounce the names of nearby towns in Catalan, make sure you understand the pronunciation and if you say that the Castilian sound "th" is pronounced in Barcelona for "c", people will assume that you speak Spanish.

Generally the generation under 35 speaks a little if not a lot of English and French. Some people may speak a little Italian and strangely, there is a large Russian-speaking community in Figueres.

How to orient yourself

How to get

By plane

• 41.9008332.7605561 Girona airport (IATA: GRO). The airport of Girona/Costa Brava it is served by low-cost airlines and is an important Ryanair hub. From the airport you can take the direct bus to Figueres on Barcelona Bus (managed by Sagales). Outside the summer period it is best to take the bus to Girona train station and then take the train to Figueres. The same company also has a bus to and from the airport of Barcelona.  

By car

From Barcelona take the highway (Barcelona-the Jonquera) Figueres exit. Or take the main road Nacional (Barcelona-France).

From Perpignan take the highway (Perpignan-la Jonquera), then take the main road Nacional up to Figueres or the motorway (the Jonquera-Figueres).

On the train

The English version of the Renfe website it is a very solid reference. Due to ongoing construction work, it is often recommended to check with the ticket clerks at the station if the arrival time is being met and be sure to double check for national holidays with few trains.

All trains from Barcelona also stop in Girona on the way to Figueres. From Girona, there is a difference of 10 minutes in travel time between the different lines, even if the Regional is 25% cheaper.

• 42.2650942.9687922 Figueres station. From Barcelona, ​​take a train from Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gracia or El Clot-Aragó. A return ticket on the express or, Media Distancia (previously Catalunya Express prior to the separation of Renfe into two entities) costs ~ € 28 and takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes depending on delays in the construction of the high-speed railway between Figueres and Barcelona, ​​which can be anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes. The local ("Regionale") costs ~ € 21 and takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. The local train station is a 10 minute walk from the museum with clear signs indicating the direction. If you get lost, everyone in town knows exactly where it is if you ask "Dalí".  

• 42.2655562.9422223 Figueres-Vilafant station (AVE station). Figueres is (as of 2017) the only point where French and Spanish standard-gauge high-speed rail networks meet. The TGV and AVE high-speed rail systems allow direct service to Paris in about 5 and a half hours from Figueres and less than an hour to Barcelona with a stop in Girona. Since the "Figueres-Vilafant" station for high-speed lines is located in the nearby village of Vilafant, which is about 2 km from the center of Figueres, there is a bus which leaves coinciding with each arrival at the station. This bus, which will wait for the train if it is late, will head towards the city center and the bus / train stations. The first stop is the closest to the Dali Museum. Just ask the driver.  

By bus

The Figueres bus station is located directly in front of Plaça de l'Estació from Figueres train station, with regular connections to Barcelona (stopping at Estació del Nord) and other destinations in Catalonia and up to the south of France.

Companies operate in the city Moventis, Eurolines, Teisa is Sagalés

How to get around

All the things to see in the city are within easy walking distance. There are also many places to stop and rest.

If you then wish to go out of town to visit other centers then it is possible to rent a car at the most important car rental agencies both in the city and at airports / stations. To avoid additional fees, it is better to book online.

By taxi

• ^{[link not working]}Taxi Figueres, ☎ 34 629 66 18 12. 

By car

The city has several identifiable parking lots here.

What see

Museums

• 42.2680562.9594441 Gala Salvador Dalí Theater-Museum (Teater Museu Gala Salvador Dalí), Gala-Salvador Dalí Square, 5 (12 minutes from the station), ☎ 34 972 677 500, fax: 34 972 501 666, @[email protected]. € 15 adults, € 11 reduced, € 10 groups, € 14 online. You can get the audio guide for € 1 per room, although Dalí's original idea was not to allow any guide to explain anything to visitors: they should understand what they are capable of without help.. Check the times and days on the site as they are variable. This large museum is largely dedicated to the work of Salvador Dalí, who spent many years of his life working and living there; the museum itself is Dalí's single greatest work. Depending on your level of interest, a visit to the museum can last anywhere from an hour to most of the day. The central building was the old theater bombed during the civil war.

In addition to the works of Dali (do not expect the most famous because they are part of the most prestigious collections), many of which have no label and description, the museum organizes exhibitions of Catalan artists and also houses the private collection of Dali with works by masters of the past until Marcel Duchamp. It is better to book the visit to avoid the long queues that form to buy the ticket. The biggest crowds are during the summer months and weekends.  

• 42.2666032.9605812 Museu del Joguet (Toy Museum), Sant Pere, 1, París hotel (You can see it from La Rambla), ☎ 34 972 504 585. € 7 for adults, € 4 for students over 65 and children. Toy museum with over 4,500 pieces from different historical periods.  
• 42.2666782.9620173 Museu Empordà, Rambla, 2, ☎ 34 972 502 305. This is the regional museum for Empordà on La Rambla in the center of Figueres. Exhibits range from archaeological objects such as ancient Greek vases found in the area to Baroque and 20th-century paintings. The collection of modern art pales in comparison to the Dalí Theater Museum, but contains some works of interest among the many more mediocre pieces for art fans who make an unhurried visit to Figueres.  
• 42.2680562.9661114 Museu de la Tècnica de l'Empordà, Carrer dels Fossos, 12, ☎ 34 972 508 820. 3€. On appointment. A museum dedicated to technology was born from a private collection.  

Other monuments

• 42.2738892.9463895 Castell de Sant Ferran (along Carrer del Castell de Sant Ferran from the Dalí museum), ☎ 34 972 51 45 85. The interior is also visible with hours that change depending on the season of the year and at reasonable prices (€ 3 for an adult with free audio guide). Considered to be the largest castle in Europe, this is the main reason why Figueres became the prominent city in the region, having been the trading base for the castle which was built in the mid-18th century. It was then occupied by Napoleon's forces.

Walking along the perimeter of the castle offers a splendid view over the Empordà plain towards the sea. Locals come regularly to walk or run around it, as it is always open. There is also a café inside the castle.  

• 42.26652.96196 Face of Dalí (end of La Rambla next to the Empordà Museum). As a tribute to their son, the city of Figueres created a surrealist homage to him at the base of the Rambla. His face is flat and distorted when viewed on the ground, but when viewed in the convex mirror next to it, it appears correct. Anyone arriving from the train or bus station will find it on their way to the museum. 
• Alleys of the historic center (North and south of the Rambla). Figueres has settled along a river which is aptly named Riera de Figueres. The borders of this river formed the nucleus of the city which grew a lot once the construction of the aforementioned castle took place. At the beginning of the 19th century, the river was covered and became what La Rambla is today, which explains why the Rambla is such a central part of the city and a refuge for those who want to sit in the shade of the massive trees that line it. . The streets retain their old-world charm, and while not as historic as the pedestrian areas of Barcelona or Girona, Figueres is quite pleasant to stroll around with lots of big-name shops mixed with local businesses. Depending on the time of year, there are often local fairs or vendors displaying in the Rambla and the main squares in the area, which offer additional entertainment. 

• 42.26842.960717 Plaça de les Patates (crossing Carrer Tints, Carrer de la Muralla, and Carrer de les Bruixes). This historic square used to be called "potato square" as it was the place for the farmers' market for vegetables until the 1950s. Now this is a quiet square lined with large shade trees with 17th century building facades. If it is a quiet place during the day, during the night it is quite lively, especially in summer due to the two bars / cafes on the square. While the main local "scene" is still on Plaça del Sol due to the row of bars and parking lots, many come to this square because there is a more pleasant atmosphere and where you can meet up with friends and sit outside for a drink during the hot summer months.  
• 42.26782.959868 Church of San Pietro (Iglesia de San Pedro) (Next to the Dalì Museum). Medieval church whose first nucleus dates back to the ninth century with superimpositions of styles that reach the eighteenth century.  
• 42.26482.971149 Plaza de toros de Figueras.  
• 42.2772.9387710 Figueres aqueduct (Just outside the city to the north-west).  

Events and parties

City festivals

Every city in Spain, regardless of size, has a feast day for the patron saint known as "fiesta mayor" in Castilian or "major festival" in Catalan. They are a celebration of the city with events that are free for the public such as concerts, art exhibitions and theater performances. While they make the centers very busy, they are one of the liveliest times to visit a city in Spain. Figueres has two of these "street parties":

• Festa Major de la Santa Creu. May 3. 
• Feast of Sant Baldiri. May, 20th. 
• Major de Sant Pere festival. June 29. 

Other events

• Acoustic Festival. The end of August. A mostly free acoustic music festival at the end of August each year. It takes place in various squares and streets around the city center. 

What to do

Shopping

Many people from the south of France come to Figueres to shop thanks to more favorable taxation. Tourism then brought many big names to the city who have opened several stores here.

Dalí souvenirs

Figueres is the best place for those on the hunt for Dali-inspired souvenirs or gadgets.

• 42.2677622.9595561 Tot Art, Carrer de Llers, 6, ☎ 34 972 50 93 82. 
• 42.2677152.9597432 Surrealist Art, Carrer de Sant Pere, 23, ☎ 34 972 67 16 62. Mon-Sun 10: 00-20: 15. 

Local products

Figueres still has a number of traditional shops that haven't been blown away by the big chains.

Chocolate / pastry

• 42.2684962.962253 ^{[link previously not working]}Provided the barceloneta, Carrer de la Muralla, 21, ☎ 34 972 50 31 51. Mon-Sat. Old shop that specializes in sweets. 
• Pastry shop Serra Lacasa, Plaça Ajuntament, 6, ☎ 34 972 50 05 81. Chocolate and typical Catalan sweets. 

Regional products

• Fàbrega Ceràmiques, La Rambla (lower part of La Rambla). Typical Empordà ceramics. 
• Rose, Carrer de la Jonquera, 4. Touristy but they have pretty much every typical thing about it Catalonia. 
• 42.2662492.9619114 Ymbert Dunjo, La Rambla, 32, ☎ 34 972 50 45 29. They sell a little bit of everything, a good alternative to the more touristy places. 

Wines

• 42.2740952.9543115 Celler de Can Nou, Elx, 6 - Lateral - Ctra. De La Jonquera, ☎ 34 972 500 897. Mon-Fri 9: 00-20: 00. Out of the center but easy to reach. Great choice and excellent wines. 
• Licors Salip, Carrer Ample, 22b. 
• Vinos Salip, Carrer de la Jonquera, 6. 

How to have fun

Night clubs

Plaça del Sol is Figueres' nightlife area. Overlooking the square, a sort of parking lot where the city library is also located, there are numerous bars. They are all more or less the same. The other option is Plaça de les Patates which is much quieter.

• 42.2660242.9573181 Cafe Federal, Plaça del Sol. Tue-Sun 24: 00-06: 00. 
• 42.2680672.9617382 ^{[link not working]}Cervecería Venecia, Sant Domènec, 4, ☎ 34 972 51 44 35. 16:00-01:00. 

Where to eat

Some Catalan specialties: Oxtail soup, butifarra, fuet, seafood, paella, and of course gaspatxo. If there are patatas de Olot: a slice of potato wrapped around minced and fried meat. Not really healthy but very good. The onion of Figueres ceba de Figueres it is much sought after because it is sweeter than a normal onion and can also be eaten raw.

Avoid the restaurants in Carrer de Jonquera from Perelada to Muralla. While they are good, the restaurants on this stretch of road are not of particularly high quality and do not represent regional cuisine well.

In the Figueres area, vines have been cultivated for about 2600 years. Today the region produces some of the best wines in the Catalonia.

Figueres is the place where the DO Empordà in Avinguda Marignane, 2. The office can provide comprehensive information on the vineyards in the area.

If you want to take a tour of the wineries then it is essential to have a car to get around. Near Figueres there are the vineyards of La Vinyeta is Perelada. The first is a modern company that produces excellent wines and is located near the village of Mollets. The second is older and is located near the castle of Perelada, about a 5-minute journey from Figueres. Their wines are expensive but they have a certain reputation. They also charge for tastings.

We recommend going as far as the very beautiful village of Cantallops, where the companies of Vinyes dels Aspres and Masia Serra. Both produce excellent wines such as Garnatxas (Grenache) and Moscatells. To visit Masia Serra it is best to contact them first because it is not always open to the public.

Another center to visit is Capmany where they are located Arches Pagès and a dozen other companies.

In Vilajuïga there is Empordàlia which produces the Sinols brand.

In any case, even if you can't visit these wineries, in Figueres there are several shops where you can buy local wines.

Moderate prices

• 42.266642.9618751 La Botiga del Pa II, Rambla, 3 (in the lower part of the Rambla). 7:30-14:00, 16:30-21:30. Nice pastry; wide selection of bakery and pastry products. Good coffee; different kinds of brand teas, variety of fresh fruit juices. Quite popular in the midday. The staff don't speak English. 

Average prices

• Restaurant Brindis, Carrer de la Muralla 12. 
• La Botiga del Pa I, Carrer de Sant Pou, 19. A real cafe with a large selection of sweet foods and breads, as well as comfortable seating, in a relaxing environment. 

• 42.2978492.9412532 La Cabaña (N-11 km 760, motorway exit 3 towards Figueres). 15/25€. Wed-Mon. Extremely difficult to find. It is located just off the N-11 north of the city, near a well-known "puti club" in the area called Moonight. You need a car to get there. The interior is shabby and uninspired. Outside seating is on plastic chairs literally next to the highway. But the sliced ​​jamón service is undeniably the best around and they have a selection of local and inexpensive wines. Customers will likely be surrounded by a mix of Southern French and Figueran devouring large plates of jamón that are reasonably priced. 
• 42.2667912.958943 Calid, Pep Ventura, 13 (near Pujada del Castell, 2-3 minutes walk from the Dalí Museum.), ☎ 34 972 67 83 48. An excellent local restaurant with a daily set menu with dishes from the area, including good gaspatxo in the summer. It fills up quickly after 2pm. 
• Philosophy, Carrer Tints, 10 (vicion Perelada). A good place to generally have a drink, but also with good local dishes during lunch. 
• Pans & Company, La Rambla, 32 (at the end of the Rambla). A sandwich shop chain with a good selection of affordable lunch items, ranging from traditional Catalan types to others. 
• Restaurador, Carrer de la Muralla, 8 (In Plaça de las Patatas). 
• 42.2685252.9599734 Restaurante La tagliatella, Carrer Cap de Creus, 2, ☎ 34 972 51 63 33. Mon-Sun 12: 00-24: 00. Italian restaurant 

Where stay

Figueres has several structures including the "masias" which are old renovated tenements. Prices are cheaper than Barcelona and can be compared to those of Girona.

Moderate prices

• Hostal Galicia, Avd. Perpinyà, 34, ☎ 34 972 501 566. 
• Hostelfigueres, C / Tints, 22 1-1, ☎ 34 630 680 575. 18 Euros. 
• Hostel Los Ángeles, Carrer de la Barceloneta, 10, ☎ 34 972 51 06 61. 
• Rambla Hotel, Rambla, 33, ☎ 34 972 67 60 20. 
• Hotel Sidorme - Figueres, Ctra. De Roses, Poligon Vilatenim Sud, ☎ 34 972 50 15 87. 

Average prices

• Bon Retorn hotel, Carretera Nacional II at Km. 3, ☎ 34 972 504623. 
• Duran hotels, Carrer Lausaca, 5, ☎ 34 972 501 250. 
• ^{[link previously not working]}Figueres Parc Hotel, Ctra. N II-a Km. 9, 17730 Hostalets de Llers, ☎ 34 972 505151. 
• Plaza Inn Hotel, Carrer Pujada del Castell 14, ☎ 34 972 514 540. 
• Hotel President, Avda. Salvador Dalí, 82, ☎ 34 972 501 700. 
• Ronda hotels, Avda. Salvador Dalí, 17, ☎ 34 972 50 39 11. 

High prices

• Empordà hotels, Avda. Salvador Dalí i Domènech, 170, ☎ 34 972 50 05 62. 
• Trave Hotel, Ctra. Olot, ☎ 34 972 500 616. 

Safety

Figueres is a quiet center and there are no problems related to safety. Normal common sense rules always apply, so beware of crowded places and don't leave valuables in sight in your car.

If you visit it in the summer, remember to drink plenty of water and cover your head as it is very hot. Snow can be found in the hills during the winter, but it is rare.

How to keep in touch

Around

• Barcelona - The largest and most important city in the Catalonia.
• Besalú - Old Town.
• Cadaqués - Seaside town where another of Dali's houses is located.
• Cantallops - Small town in the mountains with wineries and good restaurants.
• Cap de Creus - At the eastern end of Spain, very windy but the lighthouse is worth a visit.
• Girona - Ancient city, often overlooked by tourists.
• Torroella de Montgrí - Old city once the capital of the kingdom of Empúries, at the foot of a mountain where there is a castle.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Figueres
• Commons contains images or other files on Figueres

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